Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-20
IRON-CLaD FLEET.
A PROTEST AGAINST BEING REMOVED
TO RICHMOND.
They Are Satisfied Where They Ars and
Wish to be Let Alone-Facts
Of the Matter.

From the following letter, the writer
of which claims to represent the domi-
nant sentiment prevailing with the
officers and crew of the iron-clad fleet
stationed at City Point, it would seem
that President Ainslie's efforts to serve
them and the Government are not ap-
preciated:
CRY PoINT, Va, July Is, 1887.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Sir,-I notice in your edition of
Saturday. July 16, 1887, that a move
ment is being made to have the iron
clads now stationed here removed to
Richmond. We all deprecate such a
movement, and are somewhat surprised
that the Chamber of Commerce at this
late day inaugurates such move. The
feet has been now stationed here over
six wears. having arrived here March 4,
1881. Out of total of sixty-eight men
now on board these vessels thlrty-one
Of them are married and have their
families residing on shore here. Three
OF the five officers are married and with
their families here. There is GER
tainly not one officer, nor do | believe
there is single man, who desires the
removalof the fleet fromits present good
anchorage, and the finest in all respects
on the James river. Besides the mar
red. some of the rest of the men have
their relatives, and a number OF them
were born here There is not one
single benefit to be derived from their
transfer, and especially so Jar as me
GOvornn,cntfs concerned, but much to
lose. The officers and crew are very
well contented here, and some are in-
dipnant at this move. Since the fleet
has been here there has been only one,
dnd6m one, collision, and this occurred
in the spring of 1888, when the Guyan-
dotte in broad daylight ran into the
Ajax, and scarcely cay damage was
done. The monitor was not III any
wise in the way nor to blame for an ac-
cident that it was possible to have pre-
vented, ond at that time she laid far
ther from the shore than she does now.
Steamers, tows, and sailing vessels
go now up and down the river
and not one accident occurs.
They draw, it is true, between fourteen
and sixteen feet of water, and tue oiii-
GERS and crew DO not care to be an
chored ann ttcO dad u bGV miies be-
low Richmond, and here they are op-
posite the Point, where they can get
their provisions and mail and not 90 IN
boats through the rain and sun this
long distance. Your engineer, Mr..
Burgwyn, has been misintormed IN re-
lation t. the damages sustained 10y the
Ajax. This is not the "land of desola-
ton. and if it were the officers and
crew would rather remain here tam to
90 TO the land Of "milk and honey
If vou examine the chart OF 1886 you
will perce i've that even in the channel
there is at low water fifteen feet OF
water, with the average rlseabout three
feet, and here at lis point the channel
is four times as wide as the one near
Richmond. The deepest water behind
the iettics is but nine feet and the depth
ranges from one foot to nine feet.
Here the ships are not disturbed 10y. the
ice, and We have no such fresnets
as occur at Richmond. The ironcla1s
are now safely and securely moored
all are contcnted, and protest against
such movement. The Norfolk navy
yard tug comes here once in three
months to bring up stores for the fleet,
and were the ships at Richmond she
would have to travel sixty additional
miles-thi1ty miles each way.
Hoping and wishing that President
| Ainelle at the next meeting will table
the Whole matter and let it forever rest,
very respectfully your obedient ser
want, ~ -